Tattoo Kit and Supplies Owned by Joseph Hallworth

Tattoo Kit and Supplies Owned by Joseph Hallworth
Probably Boston, c. 1907
Various materials
Collection of The Strong, Rochester, New York

Chelsea, Massachusetts, native Joseph Hallworth (1872–1956) is best remembered as the magician Kar-Mi. Hallworth and his wife, Catherine (1874–?), and children trouped throughout America, performing a variety of acts and death-defying stunts, including sword-swallowing, sharpshooting, and knife-throwing.
Between shows, Hallworth tattooed under the moniker Joe Van. His traveling tattoo kit includes a mail-order catalogue and business card from Smith & Howard, who likely supplied him with some of his equipment.